Gate latch



Jan. 16, 1951 D. CHRISMAN GATE LATCH- Filed May 28, 1948 Inventor De/b err Qhr/Sman Patented Jan. 16, 1951 GATE LATCH Delbert Chrisman, Enid, kla., assignor of fifty per cent to Luther A. Wells, Enid, Okla.

Application May 28, 1948, Serial No. 29,696

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a gate latch to be employed especially with a swinging gate, which is a highly effective closing and locking mechanism, the primary object thereof being to provide such a gate latch which is extremely simple of construction and which will operate efficiently under all conditions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a closing and locking mechanism for gates whereby the mechanism will automaticaly lock the gate no matter from which direction the gate is swinging.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a gate latch which can be released manually to free the gate retained therein with a minimum of effort.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a gate latch which is normally urged by means of a resiliently mounted lever into a fully closed position and which may be simply and readily opened by the swinging gate to be retained in .the latch.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the device, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the latch as applied to a swinging gate and post;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the latch, looking in the direction of the arrows 2--2 and shown in locked position; and

Figure 3 is a perspective View of a latch member and associated lever plate.

Specific reference will now be made to the drawing. In the several views accompanying the drawing and in the following specification, similar reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout.

Generally indicated at Ill is a swinging gate to which is attached a stop consisting of a plate l2 which carries an integral arcuate extension l4.

Secured to a post is is a stop retaining member it! which consists of an arcuate top member 29 and a similarly shaped bottom member 22. Interconnecting the rear edegs of thesemembers is a vertical back plate 24 which carries a pair of spaced parallel vertical plates or lugs 25 which are provided with aligned apertures to receive a retaining pin 28 and suitable nuts 35 in order to retain the member [8 on the post.

The corners of the top and bottom members are provided with apertures to receive a pair of pivot pins 32 which are preferably secured to the bottom member. A pair of latch members 34 are provided in the form of plates having integral longitudinal sleeves 36 at their rear and longitudinal inwardly curved lips 38 at their forward ends. The latch members are freely journaled on each of the pivot pins. In a closed position, these latch members are disposed intermediate the bottom and top members and angulated towards the stop.

Fixedly secured as by welding or riveting to each sleeve 36 and angularly disposed relative thereto is a lever plate 40 which is provided with a pair of apertures 42 and M. Retained in the aperture G2 is the hook end of a coil spring is, the other end of which is attached to the plate 26, as at 48. Normally, the spring is compressed to retain the latch members in closed position as shown in Figure 2. In this position, the inner edge 53 of the lever p ate abuts the back plate 24 as shown at 52 to limit the closure position of the latch members.

When the gate is swung to a closing position, the arcuate extension It strikes the latch member 36, urging it in an open position against the tension of the spring, as shown in the dotted lines in Figure 2. After clearing the stop member, the latch is urged back into the closed position by the action of the spring. To open the gate, the lever plate 43 is pulled outwardly by hand or by means of a suitable rope or cable attached to it through the aperture 44.

In view of the foregoing description taken in con unction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A gate latch adapted to cooperate with a keeper comprising a base member and a top member interconnected by a back plate, spaced parallel lugs extending laterally from said back plate and adapted to be secured to a post, a pair of spaced latch members pivotally secured intermediate said. top and bottom members, lever members secured to said latch members, and

2,538,668 V 3 4 springs interconnecting said lever members and REFERENCES CITED said lugs normally urging said latch members The f011o in ref r e of r m outwardly of said back plate to a limited closed me of this g f e ences ar 8mm the position, said latch members including plates having forward inturned vertical edges and. rear 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS integral vertical sleeves and pins journaled in Number Name Date said sleeves terminally secured to said top and 821,363 Jackson May 22, 1906 base members, said lever members including- 1,115,271 Aronson Oct. 27, 1914 angulated plates, each plate being secured at a corner thereof to each of said sleeves, the for- 10 Ward edge of each of said plates abutting said back plate when the latch members are in closed Position.

DELBERT CHRISMAN. 

